Artists Call for Entries The Contemporaries CMA

Columbia, SC – Calling all emerging artists!

The Contemporaries, a Columbia Museum of Art membership affiliate group, announces a Call for Entries for its sixth annual Artist of the Year Soiree and Silent Auction. Entry is open to all South Carolina residents. Three-dimensional work must weigh less than 50 pounds and two-dimensional work must measure no more than 60 inches in either direction, including the frame. The registration deadline is Friday, April 9 at 5:00 p.m. This event is designed to increase awareness of and support for emerging artists in South Carolina and to promote the Contemporaries' membership. 
 


The jury members are:

Brownell McIntosh Graphic Design artist and owner Laurie McIntosh,

HoFP Gallery owner Alice Perritt,

Palmetto y Luna director and professional artist Alejandro Garcia,

Columbia Museum of Art outreach manager Darion McCloud and

Contemporaries' board member Rhett Brewer -

selects one winner, The Contemporaries' Artist of the Year, who receives a cash prize of $500,

a feature in a Columbia magazine, a Contemporaries' membership and is presented with a Contemporaries' Artist of the Year Award during the Soiree. Event guests vote on the People's Choice award, and the winner is presented with an award and a cash prize of $100. The selection of the winning artist is based on the following criteria: originality of concept, technical execution, consistency, professionalism, and the degree to which the work was aesthetically interesting. 


Winners are announced at the Soiree and Silent Auction on Thursday, May 13 at 7:00 p.m. at the Columbia Museum of Art. Tickets are $30 or free for Contemporaries members. 
 
To enter, visit http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103104452772&s=1012&e=001B5kkq8vUHTq1QtVpFfLMeY6pJ5jZ20OnRPFXacmNda_wASRtlLw4Ez5QdNrnfAk00Q9RgVAbEw1Y-eWL-xUNGqP9EA8SFvj53bTSZbEtkTU= or for more information on submitting artwork, contact Brittany Gridine at 803.343.2197. 
 
The Contemporaries, a Museum affiliate membership group, represents young professionals who support and build awareness for the Columbia Museum of Art. A portion of the proceeds from the Artist of the Year Soirée goes toward the Contemporaries' Art Acquisition Fund, designed to acquire a significant piece of art for the Museum. For more information about Contemporaries' membership, visit columbiamuseum.org or call 803.343.2197.

("Trio" an acrylic painting by Jean Bourque)

Call to Artists July 4th Crafty Feast at Sandhills

75 booths for an arts and craft fair available at the Village at Sandhills during their gigantic 4th of July Freedom Festival and I’m inviting all Crafty Feast artists to apply. For all of you outside of Columbia, this village is a large outdoor market center with stores, restaurants and a town center. This festival is a little bit different. First of all, we are expecting over 5,000 people to come out during the day to shop, listen to bands and stay for the fireworks display. The Village has teamed up with Richland County and will be advertising all over the state including billboards, radio and print advertising. In true Crafty Feast fashion, this show will be juried and include only handmade or repurposed crafts. In addition to “Indie” crafters we are also accepting applications for all styles of crafts as well as visual artists. This festival will require that individuals provide their own 10 x 10 tent, tables and chairs. Tent sharing WILL BE ALLOWED and I will make all efforts to link up crafters that would like to share a tent. Tents, tables and chairs will also be available to rent ahead of time if needed. Please consider applying at http://www.craftyfeast.com/ and I look forward to seeing you this July!

Debi Schadel

Coordinator Crafty Feast Productions

(Photograph "Palms" by Jean Bourque)

Hypnosis Session with Dr. Fredric Mau

One night on my way into the Art Bar for poetry night a few years ago, I parked by the side of the ice cream shop, when an array of colors hit my eyes. I stopped and peered in the window, wondering if we had a new gallery in town. My eyes feasted on an array of wind chimes, stained glass and art work in the small Park St. shop. I noticed all the dragonflies in particular because a friend of mine that was slated to get married within the week loved dragonflies so much she had one embroidered on her wedding veil. Making a mental note of the shop, I looked up to see the name of this stunning little gem and discovered it wasn’t a store at all, it was home of Watermark Hypnosis.

A few years before that I had attended a mass hypnosis session to quit smoking and was successful for many years with that. Not long after seeing the shop, I was at the SC State Fair where they did a group hypnosis which was actually quite funny. They sought volunteers, however, I felt it would be more fun to watch and it was. I since discovered that hypnosis is a great technique for behavior modification. In fact, hypnosis is said to be the most successful method for quitting smoking and losing weight.

Last fall, I had an art show at Frame of Mind on Main St. and this is where I met Dr. Fredric Mau and we became facebook friends. Although we had read each other’s news feeds and saw each other at various art events, I didn’t know he was a hypnotist or the owner of Watermark Gallery until I was in search of a canopy for an art show where someone suggested that Fredric may have one for sale. After talking with him I finally read his profile and discovered who he was. The idea of hypnosis and finding out more about it from an expert intrigued me and I thought it might make an interesting story, so I offered to do a story on him and his business of hypnosis.

Dr. Mau explained to me what hypnosis is, how it is used and what it actually does physically in the brain and body to alter human behavior. He tells me there are many levels of awareness and relaxation and hypnosis done correctly can slow the brain waves to various levels depending on what you are trying to achieve. Most of us operate in daily life somewhere around the beta state with brain waves of 14-20 cycles per a second. Many artists operate at 9-14 brain wave cycles per a second and this is a great state in which to be creative, it is a state of mind in which you lose track of time. When one is dosing off or deeply relaxed the brain waves slow to 4-9 cycles per a second. It is in this state, the theta level that the stress hormone cortisol is reduced, serotonin and beta endorphins increase, making you feel good and you become open to suggestion.

The hypnotist and the client may chat a bit first and decide on goals for the hypnosis session. Once the client is relaxing at the theta level, the hypnotist can make suggestions in line with the client’s goals. If the patient wants to lose weight for example, reducing the level of cortisol is a huge help as high levels of cortisol in the body is known to increase body fat especially around the mid section. The hypnotist can make suggestions which lead to better food choices, increased activity and the combination results in weight loss. This is how Dr. Mau became interested in hypnosis through his own weight loss using this method.

Using hypnosis for behavior modification can lead to many areas of improvement in the client’s life. Hypnosis can be used to help and improve muscle movement memory which means it can give athletes and dancers better performance. It also is very effective for pain relief for chronic pain sufferers and people with fibromyalgia. When the brain waves slow down, it physically changes which are equivalent to an anesthetic without the drugs.

For creative types, (like myself) it opens what Dr. Mau refers to as a learning channel. The subconscious draws connections between things you didn’t connect consciously. The hypnotic process actively engages the part of the right brain which enhances the non-verbal creative side of the person. The suggestions for this process will be to engage the creative side with new insights and openness to new connections to see, feel and hear more possibilities. Thus it is like opening up a learning channel for visual artists, musicians and enhances the kinesthetic for performers as well.

After our discussion Dr. Mau offered me a sample hypnosis session. He had me put on headphones and wear some strange glasses and lie back in the recliner. I was awake yet relaxed throughout the session. I could hear his voice and the sound in the headphones was a very gentle pulsing music. He talked about seeing me flying and I could see myself flying; from there I saw painting after painting. His suggestions were merely to relax, be myself and meet people that would enhance and expand my interests and creative life. I felt very happy and was certainly under hypnosis. I enjoyed it so much, I wanted to laugh because I love laughing.

After the session I was totally relaxed even though I had been stressed when I got there. At the time I met with him, I was struggling with a habit and am pleased to say within 24 hours I totally lost all interest in that habit and have walked away from it without any problems. He gave me a cd of the session and said I could use it anytime I wanted to relax. I really enjoyed my meeting with Dr. Mau at Watermark Hypnosis and would strongly recommend others to try hypnosis to increase their creativity.

Dr. Mau has since moved Watermark Hypnosis from the Park Street storefront and is now located near the Governor’s Mansion at 1903 Gadsden St. Suite 202 in Columbia, SC 29201. Dr. Mau was an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church and later went to work for corporate America. After a layoff, he began doing consulting, lost weight and eliminated pain, through hypnosis. This intrigued him and he decided to get trained and certified in hypnosis. Dr. Mau offers hypnosis to clients and also offers training for interested students of hypnosis.

You may reach him for consultation and hypnosis therapy at 803-750-2000 or check out his website at http://www.watermarkcolumbia.com/. Dr. Mau also teaches classes in religion, philosophy and humanities at the University of Phoenix in Columbia, SC.

yours truly,
Jean BourQue
Fan my art on facebook :)

Damian Norwood at Hookah Bar Sat. 3/27 at 10PM

Playing good ole rock n roll (cover tunes) is the sound you'll hear when u listen to Damian Norwood. He played CCR and Nirvana just the way they should be played. A native of Clinton, SC I had the opportunity to hear him sing and play his acoustic guitar at the Puddlin Duck near Spring Valley in Northeast Columbia, this past Wednesday evening, which happened to be St. Patrick's Day! Arriving late as I often do, I missed his introduction and also missed the St. Patrick's dinner at the Puddle Duck since their kitchen had already closed. My understanding is he played 2 hours straight through with no break.

Last Sunday, I had a little "Mad Hatter" gathering at my art studio and several friends had seen and heard Damian Norwood, the night before at the Hookah Bar. Their musical taste is diverse as my own and they often attend many of the same musical events I attend. So, trusting their judgement I checked all my events and found where he was playing next.

Not only is he a talented singer and guitar player he is also an interesting conversationalist, peppering his words with humor throughout the night. He told a story about playing at The Hookah Bar (a private club) into the wee hours on Sunday morning. After which, his girlfriend wanted to go to church, a Catholic Church with all the kneeling, standing and sitting. Somehow, he made it through the service without losing his breakfast or his religion. He noticed a little girl in front of them that kept turning around looking at him. He said he was just waiting for her to say, "You smell like my drunk Uncle."

At any rate, he will be playing again at The Hookah Bar next Saturday March 27th starting at 10 pm to 1 am. Yes, it is a private club, just pay the door charge and tell the people at the door, you are the guests of Jeanee Bourque and come on in! The Hookah Bar is located at 803 Sumter St. Columbia, over the Beezer Sandwich Shop and across from USC. One of the unique factors of the Hookah Bar is that they have an oxygen bar, with a variety of unique flavors. You should try it, out.

Yours Truly,

Jeanee Bourque

Spring Awakening at the Peace Center NOW

Spring Awakening playing NOW at The Peace Center 300 South Main St, Greenville, SC ticket info: 864-467-3000


Sitting front row center I had a great seat, best in the house actually and was truly amazed at the talented singers and performers in this production. The theme was the turning of age and like all adolescents they faced the important decisions of sexuality and how to express and experience that. One young straight couple lost their virginity on stage, while a gay couple discovered their passion for their own gender. I heard gasps and whispers in the audience which reminded me I was in Greenville, SC; known for teaching teens "abstinence" instead of reality and one of the biggest anti-gay communities in SC, USA.

The male lead Melchoir played by Jake Epstein and the supporting role played by Taylor Trensch were both mesmerizing and convincing with their captivating alto voices. Trensch especially drew the audience in with "Don't Do Sadness" while doing a unique demanding dance routine. His experience in The Rocky Horror Show was evident in his portrayal of Moritz.

The female lead of Wendla was played by Christy Altomare who earned her BFA in Musical Theater from the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. She lead the play with her graceful solo rendition of "Mama Who Bore Me." The role Christy played often called for a depth of emotions and realistic tears, that many young actresses would find difficult. Her age appropriate performance showed talent beyond her years. The female supporting role of Ilse was played by Steffi D a top 5 finalist in the "Canadian Idol". Her solo of "Blue Wind" was spell binding and you knew you were watching a star.

The play reminded me of several other shows and it seems like it could go on to be a cult classic. With lively and diverse music ranging from hard rock to peaceful notes...it reminded me of "Hair", "The Rocky Horror Show" and "High School Musical" all rolled into one. Yet, it was different and it was none of these. With songs entitled, "The Bitch of Living" and "Totally Fucked" you know this is ground breaking, before the show begins. The best advice I can give you is get your tickets now, this is going to be one you do not want to miss.

Truly, Greenville and the Peace Center have broken new ground and Greenville may never be the same again!

Yours Truly,
Jean Bourque
3/19/10

Spring Awakening at The Peace Center 300 South Main St, Greenville, SC
Friday, Mar 19, 2010 8:00 PM
Saturday, Mar 20, 2010 2:00 PM, and 8:00 PM
Sunday, Mar 21, 2010 2:00 PM, 7:30 PM

For tickets and information: 864-467-3000

Love Valour Compassion at Workshop Theatre

Love! Valour! Compassion! Friday, March 19, 2010 and additional dates. Workshop Theatre in Columbia, SC Curtain Time: 8 p.m., Sunday matinee 3 p.m.

At a beautiful farmhouse in upstate New York, eight men hash out their passions, resentments and fears over the course of three summer weekends. Infidelity, flirtations, soul-searching, AIDS, truth-telling and skinny-dipping mix monumental questions about life and death with a wacky dress rehearsal for Swan Lake performed in drag!
Costs: Adult - $20/musical, $18/non-musical Senior (60 and older) & Active Military - $18/musical, $15/non-musical Students (Age 13 - College) - $14/musical, $12/non-musical Children 12 and Under - $10/musical, $8/non-musical
Workshop Theatre 1136 Bull Street, Columbia Phone for more information: 803.799.4876

Indiegrrl Music & Art Festival Knoxville Aug 19-22

Music Industry professionals from all over the world will merge into Knoxville, TN to network, attend workshops and panel discussions, and listen to keynote speakers on August 19 to 22, 2010. Over 120 showcase slots will feature artists from around the world in venues in the Old City and Market Square areas of Knoxville, TN. Main stage showcases along with workshops, panels, keynote speakers, and vendor exhibits will take place in the Expo Center at Holiday Inn World's Fair Park. The general public can go from venue to venue to see showcasing artists. Live broadcasts from WDVX Radio in Knoxville will feature some showcase artists and live internet video streaming from KnoxIvi 11 O'clock rock will feature various performers. Indiegrrl is now taking submissions for over 120 showcase slots that will be 40 minutes each. Deadline to submit is March 31, 2010. Visit http://indiegrrl.com/conference.html for more details. We have Tote Bag Stuffer Sponsorship available. For $250 get your items placed in 600+ tote bags to be handed out to conference attendees and hosting venue owners and managers. We have full color high gloss print ads available in our Conference Program starting at $150 for a quarter page. 3,000 programs will be printed and distributed to conference attendees and for the general public to pick up in our hosting showcase venues. Vendor tables in the Expo Center are available. These are on a first come first get basis. Vendor spaces are $200. Vendor locations is in the most heavily traffic area of this event. EVERYONE has to pass by the vendors to get to workshops, panels, keynote speakers, AND the main stage showcase headliners.

The Thursday night Kick Off Party from 6:00pm to 7:30pm will also take place in this area before the main stage starts. Conference attendees and the General Public with arm band purchases to see the main stage can enjoy free finger foods and a cash bar at this kickoff party. Conference pass is ONLY $100 and gets you in to all the workshops, panels, keynote speaker addresses, the Kick Off Party, and all showcase stage areas. General Public Armbands are $10 each night to attend the main stage showcase headliners. A $20 armband purchase is available that will get you in to all 3 nights of main stage performances Thursday through Saturday and the Kick Off Party. Holiday Inn World's Fair Park is extending a room discount rate of $89 per night. Up to 4 people can stay in a room for this rate so start networking to find your roommates to cut your housing costs to a minimum. Selected showcase artists get a discounted conference pass rate of only $40. This rate applies to all band members, management staff and spouses/partners that want to attend. We are accepting Volunteer submissions in exchange for a free conference pass. Volunteers will help us at all participating hosting venues and in our main stage areas and also helping direct vendors to their locations at check in. Work a few hours each day and get a free pass to attend all workshops and showcases. Limited volunteers applications accepted and are filled first come first get.Visit http://indiegrrl.com/conference.html for all of the details and to download all forms.

Artwork above by Jeanee Bourque c2009
"Passion" mixed media on pre-stretched thick painted edge canvas 30x24
ready to hang. Museum quality work . $1000.

SC State Museum hosts "Business of Art" workshop

Business of Art Workshop, Columbia, S.C. --- How to prosper in the art business is the subject of a professional workshop for artists of all levels to be hosted by the South Carolina State Museum April 9-11. Beginning artists and seasoned professionals alike are encouraged to bring examples of their art to this useful weekend workshop that will help them create a business plan and marketing strategy.

The workshop will be run by Tony Rajer, art conservator, artist and instructor at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He is the author of “Museums, Zoos and Botanical Gardens of Wisconsin” and of a forthcoming book on the business of art. Each student will write an individual business plan tailored to his or her specific needs. Additional topics include portfolio preparation, gallery contacts and how to receive exposure. Rajer has taught this course for the past 10 years at the University of Wisconsin and is excited to share this course with the South Carolina artist community.

“Tony Rajer's business of art course offers a unique opportunity for artists to learn from an instructor with an experienced insider's perspective on the business side of the art world,” said Chief Curator of Art Paul Matheny. The workshop will go from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, April 9 and from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-5 p.m. on Saturday, April 10 and Sunday, April 11.

The workshop is limited to 15 students and costs $100 for members and $125 for non-members. The price includes instruction during the weekend, a week of online counseling after the class and a booklet, as well as other useful handouts.“This class will help provide the knowledge and tools artists need to help them assemble their portfolios and public relations material, and to approach galleries and art centers about their own work,” Matheny said.

For more information, contact the museum’s Public Programs Manager Celeste Wszola at 803-898-4952, or visit southcarolinastatemuseum.org.

(fiber art by Jean Bourque)

Music Festivals showing Art April 17 to June 14

What festivals can you see the artist paint at? What festivals can u see the artists art work, music work, woman in art, prints, paintings....???

The New Music Series along with pieces from the watercolor woman series, the love series, masks series and and the coffee inspired art will be showing at the Riverwalk Music Festivals and Rythme on the River in West Columbia most every Sat. from April 17 to June 6th, 2010. Then they will be shown at the Indiegrrls Music festival the entire June 12-14th weekend at Camp Jonica Gap in the GA Mountains.

The work of Jean Bourque, features theme related art in an abstraction mixed media method often using collage and assemblage as well as found objects as part of the work. The artist works with fabrics, photography, various mediums to create a unique interpolated style. People in the art may bear a slight resemblance to someone you know but it is not the artists intent to do portraiture. They are many fine portrait artists. Jean prefers to just paint whatever the spirit leads her to paint therefore the people in the art are often conceptual images based totally out of the mind.

The Music in Me and my New Art Series

New Music Series... just a few words about the musical Inspiration

Just a bit of insight about music and how it has influenced me. As a young girl, I took guitar lessons and I have always loved the guitar. Originally, I thought the guitar symbolized a need for me to perfect playing it, when in reality; my need for guitars is as basic as listening to them. As someone who listens to guitar often, I have become an avid supporter and follower to many guitar players. The best part is when the player becomes the music. It doesn't happen all the time, but when it does I am totally identifying with the music as an artist and it inspires me to create. When the4y become the music, I become the art. LOL!

My (late) grandfather also a painter and musician, had a set of drums and a juke box in his living room. He played the drums and would let me bang on them. I know they had to have sounded terrible, but he always seemed to like it. He would get on the drums and play, I would be just in awe. It is these beginnings that led to a life long fascination with music. My music, is my art. Music makes my art. Three cheers to the music and artsails1!!!!

Cheers, cheers, cheers on my third anniversary of writing this blog.
Yours truly,
Jeanee Bourque

Opt for Change at Artsails1 an Editorial

About this BLOG:

Okay, like any relationship, it's important to keep it interesting. We want people eager to read it and not just wait for a mass mailing. Standing at the pivotal line between change and stagnation, I opt for change. If you like my blog, please stay, become a follower, share with your friends and make comments on my writing. Tell me what you like and what you don't like. Interact with me, I promise not to bite.

I have a unique advantage over many art writers in a sense, because I am in the thick of things myself as an artist, writer and avid music fan. Not saying, I am the only artist with a blog, far from it. There are too many to count and each has had to decide how to handle their blog. Some artists just show pretty pictures, some talk flowery language, poetic, philosophical, some do comparative analysis, while others do critiques. Some are all about the writers opinions while others are about the artists' projects and shows. Some encourage you to support them, their friends, causes, beliefs, school and other connections, some ask for money, some create an imaginary life on line. Each has it's place and all are interesting in their own way.

Artsails1 Blog Mission Statement as of 3/6/10

The mission of this blog is to educate and share with my readers my passion for art in all its forms. I want to tell you things that have influenced me as an artist and to discuss other interests as I discover them or as their influence reflects on me. I encourage you to interact with me by commenting on works, stories and artwork.

Artsails1 Blog Goal

My long range goal with this change is to expand my readership base, by developing the personality of the blog, it is my intention to create a wider appeal on an international level. Artsails1 also likes to promote artists and musicians that are trying to develop a following. None of us know who will be the most famous, who will be remembered after they are gone. It's my honor to work with so many talented and gifted artists. If you like this blog become a fan and a follower, share my posts on your sites, your facebook wall's and add an artsails1 tag to my blog for the ones you share. Encourage your friends to become followers as well.

What is Jean Bourque working on NOW?? ...New Music Series to show at the Riverwalk Music Festivals in West Columbia every Sat. from April 17 to June 6th, 2010.Then they will be shown at the Indiegrrls Music festival the entire June 12-14th weekend at Camp Jonica Gap in the GA Mountains.

Yours truly,

Jeanee

http://artsails1.blogpost.com/

Art on this post is all by Jean Bourque